South County Profile: Janet Tufts

JANET TUFTS

Janet Tufts of Cottonwood has been involved in the field of education since 1989.

She began her career as a student teacher at Mistletoe Elementary School in Redding, then continued on to become a teacher's aid at Deer Creek Elementary School in Shasta Lake City working in the Special Education Department for two years.

In 1991 Tufts began teaching at Happy Valley Elementary School and taught at different grade levels until 1995, when she started her own private school in Redding.

Her school was started before charter schools were formed. It was tuition based, teaching grades kindergarten through sixth grade, called Quality Learning Unlimited.

A year later, Tufts was offered a job at Happy Valley and she stayed with Happy Valley Union Elementary School District ever since.

She has taught all grades from second through seventh. Two years ago, Tufts applied for the job as principal at an elementary school level. She has been the principal at Happy Valley Elementary School ever since, working each day with staff and students to make a safe learning environment for all.

In the past two years, Tufts said she has seen great changes in the students at Happy Valley.

"Our students are learning so much right now. They are polite to one another and to the staff here at the school. I am proud of them," stated Tufts.

Tufts considers the whole community as partners in the school. She said she was especially thankful to those who were supportive of the bond to build a new gym for the school.

When Tufts has spare time, she enjoys spending it cooking, reading, walking and participating in water sports. Mostly, however, she enjoys spending time with her family.

Tufts is a 1983 graduate of Anderson Union High School. After high school, she continued on to Shasta College to earn her associates in arts degree in liberal studies, then went on to Chico State University to earn a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and student teaching. While teaching second grade, Tufts earned her master's degree at National University in educational administration. She then became the principal at the elementary school level. She is currently in her second year as principal at Happy Valley Elementary School. Her goals as principal are to improve student achievement, good citizenship and to increase academic rigor among the students.

In the future, Tufts would eventually like to earn a doctorate, work in a student-teaching program and continue in the field of education.

Tufts has been married to her husband Rob for 25 years. The couple has two children, Jessica and Trevor.

Name: Janet Tufts.

Born where and when: Oakland, sometime in the 1900's.

Occupation: Happy Valley Elementary School Principal.

Marital Status: Married to husband, Rob, for 25 years.

Family: Two children, Jessica, 21, and Trevor, 18.

Pets: Two miniature dachshunds: Smokey and Bandit.

My worst job: A & W carhop.

My first job: Life guard and swim instructor.

In my spare time I: Love to cook, walk and read.

My favorite book: Turn Around Schools: Creating Cultures of Universal Achievement.

My favorite movie: The Holiday.

My favorite recording artist: Right now, I am into American Idol.

My dream car: Should I say my husband's '68 Mustang Convertible?

My friends like me because: I am easy going with a good sense of humor.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: My husband and a bottle of sunscreen.

The one thing I've learned in life is: Everything happens for a reason.

The best advice my parents gave me: You have to work for the rest of your life, so choose something you love to do and be the best at it.

My most embarrassing moment was: Only one?

My most irrational act: Buying a vacuum cleaner from a door to door salesman for twice the price of my mortgage. Incidentally, I returned it the very next day.

My most value material possession: My wedding ring.

What I like best about the North State: The sunrises and the sunsets.

My hero is: My husband who has provided an amazing life for me.

My pet peeve is: Disrespect.

My fantasy is: Creating a school environment where everyone employed at Happy Valley School believes in the potential of every child.

If I could change one thing about myself, I would: Try not to be such a perfectionist.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: Healthy, high interest activities for teenagers.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Making a positive impact.